Automatic Replacement of Objectionable Audio Content From Audio Signals

Abstract

A method, apparatus and system are provided for the automatic replacement of potentially objectionable audio content from an audio signal in real time. In one embodiment of the present invention, the selective filtering of objectionable audio content from an audio signal is accomplished by first marking objectionable audio content in the audio signal with filtering information that identifies the type of objectionable audio content (e.g., crude language, ethnic and racial slurs, cursing, strong profanity) and storing the filtering information and the corresponding location of the objectionable audio content for that particular audio signal. Objectionable audio content having filtering information corresponding to a stored replacement content code determined from a predetermined replacement setting is then automatically replaced with an audio clip corresponding to the replacement setting.

1 . A method for automatically replacing objectionable audio content from an audio signal in real time, comprising:
 identifying objectionable audio content in said audio signal, wherein it is not necessary for said audio signal to comprise embedded information regarding the location of objectionable audio content in said audio signal;   determining a table of replacement events for at least said identified objectionable audio content based on at least one replacement setting, wherein each of the replacement events includes filtering information that corresponds to said at least one replacement setting; and   automatically replacing objectionable audio content in said audio signal with an audio clip corresponding to said at least one replacement setting when it is determined that objectionable audio content in said audio signal matches the filtering information defined in the table of replacement events.   
   
   
       2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein objectionable audio content in said audio signal is identified by reviewing said audio signal and marking the locations of objectionable audio content in said audio signal. 
   
   
       3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein objectionable audio content in said audio signal is identified from a stored list identifying at least the locations of objectionable audio content in said audio signal. 
   
   
       4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein objectionable audio content in said audio signal is identified from information regarding said audio signal retrieved from an outside source. 
   
   
       5 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein the information regarding objectionable audio content in said audio signal is retrieved from an electronic media source. 
   
   
       6 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising storing an identifier for said audio signal such that information stored for identifying the objectionable audio content in said audio signal is again associated with said audio signal upon receiving said audio signal in the future. 
   
   
       7 . An apparatus for automatically replacing objectionable audio content from an audio signal in real time, comprising:
 an identifier and recording block for identifying objectionable audio content in said audio signal and for storing location and filtering information for said objectionable audio content, wherein it is not necessary for said audio signal to comprise embedded information regarding the location of objectionable audio content in said audio signal;   a replacement events table for at least said identified objectionable audio content based on at least one selected replacement setting, wherein each of the replacement events includes filtering information that corresponds to said at least one replacement setting;   a filter selection/activation interface for, in conjunction with a user interface, selecting replacement settings; and   a replacement controller for causing the automatic replacement of objectionable audio content in said audio signal with an audio clip stored in a audio replacement generation block, said audio clip corresponding to said at least one replacement setting, said automatic replacement occurring when it is determined that objectionable audio content in said audio signal matches the filtering information defined in the table of replacement events.   
   
   
       8 . The apparatus of  claim 7 , further comprising demodulation and switching circuitry for separating said audio signal from a video signal. 
   
   
       9 . The apparatus of  claim 8 , wherein said apparatus comprises separate audio and video paths. 
   
   
       10 . The apparatus of  claim 7 , wherein said apparatus comprises indicators for providing visible indications of the state of the apparatus. 
   
   
       11 . The apparatus of  claim 7 , wherein said replacement controller implements a switch for causing the automatic replacement of objectionable audio content in said audio signal. 
   
   
       12 . A system for the automatic replacement of objectionable audio content from an audio signal in real time, comprising:
 an audio source for providing an audio signal, wherein it is not necessary for said audio signal to comprise embedded information regarding the location of objectionable audio content in said audio signal;   a control unit for receiving said audio signal and automatically replacing objectionable audio content from said audio signal, said control unit including at least;
 an identifier and recording block for identifying objectionable audio content in said audio signal and for storing location and filtering information for said objectionable audio content; 
 a replacement events table for at least said identified objectionable audio content based on at least one selected replacement setting, wherein each of the replacement events includes filtering information that corresponds to said at least one replacement setting; 
 a filter selection/activation interface for, in conjunction with a user interface, selecting replacement settings; and 
 a replacement controller for causing the automatic replacement of objectionable audio content in said audio signal with an audio clip stored in a audio replacement generation block to produce a filtered audio signal, said audio clip corresponding to said at least one replacement setting, said automatic replacement occurring when it is determined that objectionable audio content in said audio signal matches the filtering information defined in the table of replacement events; and 
   an audio output device for receiving said filtered signal from said control unit and outputting said filtered audio.   
   
   
       13 . The system of  claim 12 , wherein said control unit is integrated into said audio source. 
   
   
       14 . The system of  claim 12 , wherein said control unit is integrated into said audio output device. 
   
   
       15 . The system of  claim 12 , wherein said audio source comprises an audio/video source and said control unit further comprises demodulation and switching circuitry for separating audio signals from video signals.